Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1887-12-03

pranks, until at last the Englishmar
gave him, In public, sound threshing.
Thus Riffert had double motive fol
revenge, that passion dearest to an In.
dian, and he brooded over it with in
tense hate. He was no match for the
Englishman in strength, SO he de-
termined to depend upon stratagem fol
the qualification OF his ire.
Wilson and Lena. forbidden to see
each other, needed not the prohibition.
but contrived a plan for meeting. The
bill, at the foot of which Mr.. Kesler
lived, had been cleared of nearly every
tree, and was grown over with brush
wood. Just upon the summit one large
hickory tree was left standing, around
which had sprung up many cedar
bushes. These evergreens grew quite
close, and were dense enough to hide
any enc behind them from the observa-
ton of persons passing along the road.
Here LENA often came to exchange q
few words of comfort with her lover.
She had appointed meeting one even
ing, and just as the full moon was ris-
ing she stole from the house, and sped
breathlessly up the road over the hard
crusted snow. When she entered the
little natural bower of evergreens she
was startled by seeing, not Mr.. Wilson,
but Hugo Riffert.
He stood and looked at her with IT.
resolution, for he really loved her to
the point of standing in awe of her
Lena was about to retreat hastily,
when, remembering the enmity be-
tween them, she feared foul play for
Mr.. Wilson, since his rival was there
in his place. She could not go without
asking few questions.
Hugo" she said, gently, "did you
come up the hill-road?"
ayes. I"
"Tast our house,"
"No, the other way"
"Did you see any one coming up
also?"
The savage ire of the Indian began
to conquer his timidity.
NO." he answered; you mean the
Englishman. did not see him, but
am waiting for him."
Then Rifert advanced angrily to
her.
"Lena," he said, fiercely, show dare
you come here to meet that fellow?
You will not let me speak to you, even
at your fathers On Sunday nights. I
will pay you for it /! I've got you now!"
! He was standing before her, with
clenched teeth and flashing eyes. The
girl was dreadfully frightened, but
commanding her fear and confidence,
she said:
"Well, you would not harm me?"
"Look here" he exclaimed, as he
seized stout sapling, bent it over,
the top doubling down to it's roots;
then letting it go, it flew up with great
force. ''Now am strong?" he asked.
"You see that with one hand I could
hold you more easily than the tree,
and have the other Free And I have
knife in that one. But if you will do
what | want you to, L will not hurt
you. ?"
what is it you want me to do.
Come, tell me gently. Don't be so
fierce. Don't you know I am always
kindest when you are gentle!@
II know you have never, never been
kind to me, let me be gentle or fierce.
But this one thing you shall do for me,
for can make you."
"What is it ?" asked Lena again.
"Give me your hood and cloak, and
get out of the way. Run home, II
mean, as fast as you can. Then I will
not even brighten you any more, and
you will not see me again for a long
time, for l am going to my tribe.
Quick, give them to me-"
Lena saw through his fendish plot |
She drew. up in indignation all fear for
herself vanished.
"And what do you want them for,
you assassin?" she cried. @To lie in
wait for my lover, with your knife and
your bloody intentions? No, I will
fight for them till l die, before you
shall have them. So take care!"
That instant the willy Indian threw a
noosed rope, which he had concealed
in his belt, over her shoulders, and
slipped it until it held her arms down,
then he drew it tight with sudden
jerk.
"Now," said he, fight if You choose.
I will tie you to that tree, and when
your lover comes to meet you you shall
see me dart out and stab him to the
heart before your very eyes.
Lena tried to scream, in hopes OF
assistance, but Riffert's hand was
promptly on her mouth.
"Wait, have gag" he said. al
will only keep it in until that English
dog is lying dead there, and then your
pretty lips shall be free for Kisses.
Lena struggled and found chance
to speak.
"Stop," she said, desperation lending
her craft, "listen one moment. I will
give you the things-I had just as !
lief as not. Give me time-and, Hugo,
you did not tell me whether you met |
my father on your way here"
"You did not ask me that"
"Why, yes, asked you if you saw
any one coming.
But you meant the Englishman,
your lover"
Every time the Indian said the word